Want to know where the Microsoft Azure data centres are and what services are available in what region?
This is a useful page showing the current 30 regions including the two newest UK ones: http://bit.ly/2cIXMTG.
Tag Archives: Azure Services
Azure Active Directory Premium P2 Available
Microsoft announce that Azure Active Directory Premium P2 is generally available from 15 September 2016: http://bit.ly/2d4ZJvV.
Azure AD Premium P2 includes all the capabilities of Azure AD Premium P1 as well as the new Azure AD Identity Protection and Azure AD Privileged Identity Management services.
This page is a good resource if you want to compare the services available in the P1 and P2 plans as well as AD Free and Basic editions: http://bit.ly/2cjdExc.
The new P2 plan will also be part of the Enterprise Mobility + Security E5 plan: http://bit.ly/29Cc0Er.
Azure RemoteApp to be Retired
Microsoft announce that Azure RemoteApp is to be retired: new purchases will end as of 1 October, 2016 and the service will finally be wound down on 31 August, 2017. The recommended alternative is the Citrix XenApp “express” solution, or perhaps using Remote Desktop Services deployed on Azure virtual machines.
Read the full Microsoft announcement here: http://bit.ly/2aUsXNg.
Power BI Embedded Generally Available
Microsoft announce that Power BI Embedded is generally available. Be aware that this is a cousin rather than a brother of the Power BI service licensed with Power BI User Subscription Licences.
Power BI Embedded is an Azure consumption service (charged as users interact with reports) and intended for ISVs who embed dashboards in applications for third party use.
The Microsoft announcement is here: http://bit.ly/29QIRXi and this Azure pricing page has some useful FAQs: http://bit.ly/2ahlAyP.
SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines FAQ
If you want an overview of the different ways that you can run SQL Server on Azure virtual machines, and how they’re licensed, then this Microsoft FAQ page is worth a read through: http://bit.ly/28TwWoH.
Azure Information Protection
Microsoft announce Azure Information Protection, a new service that builds on Azure Rights Management (Azure RMS).
General Availability is expected later this year, when Azure RMS customers will receive expanded capabillities.
We’re told that more information on how to buy Azure Information Protection will be available closer to General Availability.
Read the full announcement here: http://bit.ly/28UrDEd.
BYOL SQL VMs available in Azure Gallery
Microsoft announce a new set of Bring-Your-Own-Licence SQL + Windows virtual machine images in the Azure Gallery.
This means that you can use an image to easily provision a Windows VM with SQL Server, and then use existing Volume Licensing licences with Software Assurance to license the SQL part of the VM.
For more details and some useful pictures, see the Microsoft announcement here: http://bit.ly/1Uf54zu.
Microsoft and Citrix to offer VDI in the Cloud
At the recent Citrix Synergy event it was announced that, later in 2016, Citrix will offer customers the ability to run Windows 10 in Azure!
This will be available to customers licensed with Windows SA per User and will give them the option to host their Windows 10 Enterprise Current Branch for Business images on Azure via the Citrix XenDesktop VDI solution.
As we get more concrete, specific information on the licensing rules and any restrictions around usage or deployment, we will keep you updated.
Check out the initial announcement here: http://bit.ly/1sLcoWY.
Switching to an Azure Prepayment Plan
If you buy your Azure Services direct from the Microsoft website then you pay the advertised consumption prices, but if you’re prepared to make a 12-month upfront payment of at least $6,000 then you receive a 5% discount on these prices.
If this sounds fab, then you need to get your existing subscriptions to bill under the prepayment plan by following the instructions here: http://bit.ly/1s9piOy.
Check the prepayment option is the right one for you here: http://bit.ly/1TxYP9E.
Microsoft Data Centres in Canada
The Microsoft data centres grow again: two data centres are now open in Canada offering Azure and Office 365 with data residency for business customers in Canada, and CRM Online available later this year in Q3. There are also plans for a new data centre region in Seoul, South Korea.
Find the Microsoft announcement here: http://bit.ly/1XLVxPZ and if you’re interested in where customer data is stored for Office 365 and CRM Online, then these interactive maps are worth a look: http://bit.ly/1YQuBwP.